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Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network

Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network

,   and  ASMedia
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Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network
Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network

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Title: Unraveling the Reichsbürger Network: Charges, Allegations, and Ideology

Last year, a significant operation was carried out against an alleged Reichsbürger network in Germany. The federal prosecutor's office has charged 26 individuals associated with the group for terrorism-related offenses and high treason.

Key Information

  1. Key Individuals and Charges: The group's alleged ringleaders, Prince Heinrich XIII Reuß and former German army officer Rüdiger von P., are among those facing charges. The charges range from membership in a terrorist organization to weapons offenses and preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state. The trial to determine the fate of the accused is underway in three German higher regional courts.
  2. Their Beliefs and Agenda: The network is believed to have been inspired by conspiracy myths from the Reichsbürger and QAnon movements. They reject the democratic basic order and believe in a hidden "Deep State" governing Germany. Their ultimate goal was to overthrow the existing government and establish their own provisional government, with Prince Reuß as the interim leader.
  3. Organization and Planning: The group was reportedly structured with a central committee, similar to a government cabinet, and a military wing prepared to enforce the takeover by force. They also had a recruitment strategy, targeting active and former members of the police and Bundeswehr, and created so-called "enemy lists" to identify potential threats.
  4. Preparations and Resources: The group reportedly had approximately 286 local security companies, dedicated to their cause, and allegedly held a significant arsenal of weapons, including over 350 guns. They are also said to have conducted shooting training sessions, indicating that they were well-equipped and prepared for possible confrontations.
  5. Foreign Involvements: Suspect Vitalia B., the only non-German among the accused, is said to have facilitated contact between Reuß and the Russian Consulate-General in Leipzig. It is disputed whether Russia had an active role in supporting the network's objectives.

Enrichment Data Integration:

  1. Charges and Cases: Since the initial arrests in December 2022, further investigations have led to additional arrests and charges. For instance, the former AfD lawmaker, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, was arrested and charged in May 2024. She is currently on trial, along with eight other defendants, accused of planning an armed raid on the Bundestag, plotting to kidnap the German Health Minister, and causing a nationwide power outage.
  2. Investigations and Raids: In February 2023, German police carried out raids on several properties associated with the Reichsbürger movement's far-right prepper scene, seeking evidence in an ongoing investigation related to a plot to cause a massive power cut and instigate a government coup.

These additional details help provide context and clarify the ongoing developments in the case of the Reichsbürger network, further highlighting the impact and continued scrutiny surrounding their actions and beliefs.

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